Holly Holden y Su Banda are a London-based three piece that blend bitter-sweet pop tunes with Caribbean rhythms in a deliciously danceable fusion they call Tropical Soul.
Sassy bassist front woman Holly seduces with Spanglish love songs, accompanied by innovative New York drummer Dave who makes the kit sound like a full percussion section, and Frank who plays both rhythm guitar and knocks out the odd mind-melting solo.
Drawing on eclectic influences, including reggae, rocksteady, cumbia, bachata and soul, this band have an irresistible sound that has had crowds dancing at international music festivals in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, in New York night clubs, at London’s best independent music venues and at festivals like Tropical Pressure and Green Man.
Holly Holden studied music and performance at schools in London and Cornwall. She began song-writing at university in Bristol, playing folk-inspired songs at open mic nights. As a student of languages and cultural anthropology Holly lived in Berlin and Ecuador, where she collaborated with musicians of many different styles, from Ugandan rapper Abba Lang, to the marimba band of Esmeraldas.
In 2012 Holly formed a collaborative project X Planet with Cuban rapper Alayo Style. Their album Xistence, recorded in Santiago de Cuba with reggaeton producer Kiki Pro, combined reggae, rock, blues, bolero and hip hop to kisomba, and was well received in Cuba and London.
In Summer 2013 Holly toured throughout Europe with dubstep producer Mala for live performances of his ‘Mala in Cuba’ album at festivals including WOMAD, Worldwide Festival, North Sea Jazz and Fiesta des Suds. In 2014 she joined Johnny Flynn and The Sussex Wit, singing and playing percussion and harmonium on a headline European tour and at several UK festivals including Glastonbury.
Holly joined forces with drummer David Beauchamp and guitarist Frank Clarke in 2014. Inspired by Holly’s many musical collaborations, this colourful trio combine bitter-sweet pop tunes with Caribbean rhythms in a deliciously danceable fusion they call Tropical Soul. Holly Holden y Su Banda have performed at international music festivals in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, in New York night clubs, at London’s best independent music venues .
In 2017 Holly Holden y Su Banda released their debut EP ‘Tropical Soul’ - a self-produced, six track homage to doing what you love, and loving the way you want to. From reggae-cumbia Mellow Drama to pop hit Benji Muji Mau, it’s difficult to define but easy to love. It was warmly received by critics and crowds dancing in muddy fields at some of the UK’s major music festivals including Boomtown Fair, Secret Garden Party, Greenman.
Holly has worked with renowned dubstep producer Mala, touring as a vocalist on the live performances of his acclaimed album Mala in Cuba in 2014. In summer 2017 Holly released ‘Agua Salá’ a bossa-bolero track written and recorded in Cartagena, Colombia.
This colourful three-piece blend bitter-sweet pop tunes with Caribbean rhythms in a deliciously danceable fusion they call Tropical Soul. Imagine the Police fronted by a Latina Amy Winehouse. It sounds like midnight sunshine.
“Her sound has an element that makes us vibrate…There is no point in trying to put a label on [it]. According to Holly there are no labels, nothing is pure and music in its essence is a conversation.” - ismorbo.com
www.hollyholdenmusic.com
